Describes patterns of evolution for groups of species over extended periods of geologic
time.
An era of time lasting from 245 million to 65 million years ago in the earth's history.
This era is marked by the emergence and extinction of the dinosaurs.
Term applied to all multicellular organisms that digest food, including sponges and
higher animals.
The process of division in some cells of the sex organs that reduces the number of
chromosomes to half the number found in somatic cells.
The study of microscopic organisms, scientifically known as microorganisms.
Describes the details of how individual populations and species evolve and how new
species originate.
Another term for microscopic organism. These include algae, bacteria, molds,
protozoans, viruses, and yeasts.
An epoch of time lasting from 26 million to 7 million years ago in the earth's history.
The process of cell division in which two identical daughter cells are produced, with
each containing the full number of chromosomes.
A tiny, simple plant which belongs to the fungi group.
The study of those molecules that direct molecular processes in cells.
One of the basic units of matter. It is the smallest particle into which a substance
can be divided and still have the chemical properties of the original substance.
Prezygotic isolating mechanism that occurs when differences in shape or size prevent
mating between species.
The biological study of the form and structure of living organisms.
A chemical change in a gene. It may produce a new trait that can be inherited.
Frequency with which a particular mutation occurs.
A theory of evolution that plays greater emphasis on the role of mutation in evolution.